Fur biting caused by bathing dust?

[Kevin]

We have two chinchillas, one of which we have had for about three
years now. When we first got her, she was alone in a fairly noisy
environment. After about a year, we got a second, and they seemed to
enjoy each other's company, but she still seemed to bite her fur (the
new one did not, so we thought maybe it was just hereditary). We moved
a couple times to successively lower-stress environments (they are now
in a cool, somewhat dark, quiet room all day), but nothing seemed to
help.

Last month when we went to buy the bath dust we have always used
Kaytee Chinchilla Dust Bath ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753568
), they were out. Instead we purchased Pet Scentsations Chinchilla
Bath Dust ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752955
). I was a bit unsure about "scented" dust, and I noticed that it was
much coarser than the fine, powdery Kaytee dust. My girlfriend
actually preferred this dust because the Kaytee irritates her eyes
because it floats in the air it is so fine.

Over the last month, we have noticed our fur-biting chinchilla's hair
grow back. That's when we made the connection- the only thing we have
changed in the last month is the dust! Yesterday when the scented dust
ran out, we replaced it with some of the Kaytee dust. I put some of
the new dust in their bath and watched them roll around in it a bit.
Sure enough, she jumped out and started biting and picking at her fur.
After 24 hours, she is back to having a patch of fur on her hind
quarters that is bitten very short like before.

Anyone else seen behavior like this? Could it be that some chins have
skin that is more sensitive to the very fine dust?

-Kevin

[Betti Cogswell]

it is very possible she is allergic to the diatamacous earth that kaytee
uses.
the best dust you can get is the blue cloud from chinworld.com.
it is coarser, and better for their fur.
but chins do have allergies

Post by Kevin
We have two chinchillas, one of which we have had for about three
years now. When we first got her, she was alone in a fairly noisy
environment. After about a year, we got a second, and they seemed to
enjoy each other's company, but she still seemed to bite her fur (the
new one did not, so we thought maybe it was just hereditary). We moved
a couple times to successively lower-stress environments (they are now
in a cool, somewhat dark, quiet room all day), but nothing seemed to
help.
Last month when we went to buy the bath dust we have always used
Kaytee Chinchilla Dust Bath ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753568
), they were out. Instead we purchased Pet Scentsations Chinchilla
Bath Dust ( http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752955
). I was a bit unsure about "scented" dust, and I noticed that it was
much coarser than the fine, powdery Kaytee dust. My girlfriend
actually preferred this dust because the Kaytee irritates her eyes
because it floats in the air it is so fine.
Over the last month, we have noticed our fur-biting chinchilla's hair
grow back. That's when we made the connection- the only thing we have
changed in the last month is the dust! Yesterday when the scented dust
ran out, we replaced it with some of the Kaytee dust. I put some of
the new dust in their bath and watched them roll around in it a bit.
Sure enough, she jumped out and started biting and picking at her fur.
After 24 hours, she is back to having a patch of fur on her hind
quarters that is bitten very short like before.
Anyone else seen behavior like this? Could it be that some chins have
skin that is more sensitive to the very fine dust?
-Kevin

[Kevin]

I posted the same message on http://www.chins-n-quills.com and several
people responded with the same answer- sounds like she is allergic to
the Kaytee dust. Several people had suggested trying Blue Cloud dust,
but I hadn't been able to find it anywhere, for cheap. Thanks for the
link.

-Kevin

Post by Betti Cogswell
it is very possible she is allergic to the diatamacous earth that kaytee
uses.
the best dust you can get is the blue cloud from chinworld.com.
it is coarser, and better for their fur.
but chins do have allergies

Post by Kevin
We have two chinchillas, one of which we have had for about three
years now. When we first got her, she was alone in a fairly noisy
environment. After about a year, we got a second, and they seemed to
enjoy each other's company, but she still seemed to bite her fur (the
new one did not, so we thought maybe it was just hereditary). We moved
a couple times to successively lower-stress environments (they are now
in a cool, somewhat dark, quiet room all day), but nothing seemed to
help.
Last month when we went to buy the bath dust we have always used
Kaytee Chinchilla Dust Bath (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753568
), they were out. Instead we purchased Pet Scentsations Chinchilla
Bath Dust (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752955
). I was a bit unsure about "scented" dust, and I noticed that it was
much coarser than the fine, powdery Kaytee dust. My girlfriend
actually preferred this dust because the Kaytee irritates her eyes
because it floats in the air it is so fine.
Over the last month, we have noticed our fur-biting chinchilla's hair
grow back. That's when we made the connection- the only thing we have
changed in the last month is the dust! Yesterday when the scented dust
ran out, we replaced it with some of the Kaytee dust. I put some of
the new dust in their bath and watched them roll around in it a bit.
Sure enough, she jumped out and started biting and picking at her fur.
After 24 hours, she is back to having a patch of fur on her hind
quarters that is bitten very short like before.
Anyone else seen behavior like this? Could it be that some chins have
skin that is more sensitive to the very fine dust?
-Kevin

--
Betti [chinmom]www.cachins.org
home.comcast.net/~chinmom

[Betti Cogswell]

there is another chin group, yahoo one. you can try that one too. I
dropped out of chins n quills, or rather they dropped me, because I was
always touting the book I helped write. "The Joy of Chinchillas" but I
dont get a penny for the book, it all goes to maintaining a rescue
group, and the california chinchillas club. I no longer am a member of
that either as I dont have time, but get onto www.cachins.org and check
out some of their info, and talk to Lani Ritchey, she is very knowledgable.\
glad you are gettin gsome blue cloud. it really is best

Post by Kevin
I posted the same message on http://www.chins-n-quills.com and several
people responded with the same answer- sounds like she is allergic to
the Kaytee dust. Several people had suggested trying Blue Cloud dust,
but I hadn't been able to find it anywhere, for cheap. Thanks for the
link.
-Kevin

Post by Betti Cogswell
it is very possible she is allergic to the diatamacous earth that kaytee
uses.
the best dust you can get is the blue cloud from chinworld.com.
it is coarser, and better for their fur.
but chins do have allergies

Post by Kevin
We have two chinchillas, one of which we have had for about three
years now. When we first got her, she was alone in a fairly noisy
environment. After about a year, we got a second, and they seemed to
enjoy each other's company, but she still seemed to bite her fur (the
new one did not, so we thought maybe it was just hereditary). We moved
a couple times to successively lower-stress environments (they are now
in a cool, somewhat dark, quiet room all day), but nothing seemed to
help.
Last month when we went to buy the bath dust we have always used
Kaytee Chinchilla Dust Bath (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753568
), they were out. Instead we purchased Pet Scentsations Chinchilla
Bath Dust (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752955
). I was a bit unsure about "scented" dust, and I noticed that it was
much coarser than the fine, powdery Kaytee dust. My girlfriend
actually preferred this dust because the Kaytee irritates her eyes
because it floats in the air it is so fine.
Over the last month, we have noticed our fur-biting chinchilla's hair
grow back. That's when we made the connection- the only thing we have
changed in the last month is the dust! Yesterday when the scented dust
ran out, we replaced it with some of the Kaytee dust. I put some of
the new dust in their bath and watched them roll around in it a bit.
Sure enough, she jumped out and started biting and picking at her fur.
After 24 hours, she is back to having a patch of fur on her hind
quarters that is bitten very short like before.
Anyone else seen behavior like this? Could it be that some chins have
skin that is more sensitive to the very fine dust?
-Kevin

--
Betti [chinmom]www.cachins.org
home.comcast.net/~chinmom

[John Jung]

Hi Kevin,

Post by Kevin
Several people had suggested trying Blue Cloud dust,
but I hadn't been able to find it anywhere, for cheap. Thanks for the
link.

I don't know what you consider cheap, but Chinworld (www.chinworld.com)
has a 5lb bag for $3.75 + shipping.

John

(I'm not affiliated with them, I'm just a customer.)

[Betti Cogswell]

there is nothing like a disinterested plug for a good company. go with
chinworld for a lot of good stuff

Post by John Jung
Hi Kevin,

Post by Kevin
Several people had suggested trying Blue Cloud dust,
but I hadn't been able to find it anywhere, for cheap. Thanks for the
link.

I don't know what you consider cheap, but Chinworld
(www.chinworld.com) has a 5lb bag for $3.75 + shipping.
John
(I'm not affiliated with them, I'm just a customer.)